“One of my favorite under-the-radar wineries for a number of years has been Dashe. The prices are reasonable, the quality high, and the wines filled with personality.” – Robert Parker

Whew! The corks were popping, the Champagne was flowing, and someone had a few too many old fashioned cocktails last night. Still managed to crawl to the keyboard to fire off this offer because you know we wouldn’t leave you hanging on the first day of the new year.

If the three bears were looking for a Zinfandel instead of porridge, they’d pick this one. Not too sweet. Not too light. Not too hot. It’s juuuuust right. Especially because it’s a hair over $20 a bottle thanks to a dramatic 40% off. On a 94 pointer mind you.

Dashe is an all-time favorite of ours, and a fairly under the radar winery despite the hype. For now, at least. The proprietors have an all-star background: Mike worked the legendary 1989 vintage as an intern at Château Lafite-Rothschild and did stints at Cloudy Bay, Schramsberg, and Far Niente, before settling in at Ridge Vineyards, where he worked side by side with the legendary Paul Draper, while Anne interned at Château La Dominique in Bordeaux and Chappellet Winery in Napa, before making brandy for Remy Martin. Since 1996, Dashe Cellars has adorned the finest wine lists around the world, at most of the top restaurants in the US, including The French Laundry, Chez Panisse, and Per Se.

Mike selects only the absolute best tasting barrels for this wine. It hits all the right notes without being too boisterous or sloppy. It doesn’t plunge you into a dunk tank of over-extracted sweetness. Still, it’s very succulent and very juicy, with dried cherries and jammy red fruit, a hint of spice. The addition of 10% Petite Verdot gives it some backbone, and the stuffing to last for years to come. Truly terrifyingly easy to drink and you’ll wonder what the heck happened when the bottle is empty moments after opening it.

There you have it. Start your year off right by grabbing a few. Then curl back up on the couch with a gallon of water and catch up on the latest episodes of Succession.

94 Points – The Tasting Panel

“Shimmering garnet color, spice and berry nose, smooth, lush and elegant with fine structure and plum, black raspberry and cherry fruit; considerable finesse and great aging potential, long and refined.”

91 Points – Wine Spectator

“Precise, with a sinewy elegance that draws in bright cherry and cranberry flavors laced with notes of briar, dill and white pepper. Drink now through 2027.”